Notebook: where clubs are Trumps

Trump: “Somebody said, what would be your theory or what would you do in terms of Libya? I’d do one thing. Either I’d go in and take the oil or I don’t go in at all. We can’t be the policeman for the world."

Interviewer: You’d just take their oil?

Trump: “Absolutely. I’d take the oil. I’d give them plenty so they can live very happily. I would take the oil. You know, in the old days. In the old days, when you have a war and you win, that nation is yours."

On making OPEC cut the oil price: “It’s the messenger. You know, I can send two executives into a room. They can say the same thing. One guy comes home with the bacon and the other one doesn’t. And I’ve seen it a thousand times. It’s the messenger. We are not a respected nation any more. The world is laughing at us . . . Let me tell you, it’ll go down if you say it properly."

On running for president: “I wish I didn’t have to do it. I would prefer not doing it. But I love this country. And if you ask me, what are the odds, I’ll let you know some time prior to June. But I will tell you, I am giving it serious, serious thought. And I’m honoured by the polls, because people agree with what I’m saying."